Our endorsements struck a nerve for some readers

New definition of balanced?

I find it amusing that with each election cycle, the Orlando Sentinel's Editorial Board infers that the average voter is too stupid to make a logical voting decision regarding the candidate he or she prefers. Accordingly, Sunday's edition ("Election 2018: Our picks") clearly reinforces this assumption. It appears that I may be remiss and Webster's Dictionary could have updated the definition of the word "Balanced," which appears on the front page of each Sentinel edition. Bruce McHenry Casselberry

Time for a Democrat?

The Orlando Sentinel made the statement that after nearly 20 years of Republican governors, it was time to elect a Democrat.

Research shows: On the basis of its solvency in five separate categories, Florida ranks fourth among the states for fiscal health.

The Sentinel endorses a candidate for governor, stating he will not be successful with his agenda because Republicans control the state House and Senate. So why elect him?

Research shows: Florida has long been considered one of the freest states in the union.

Of major concern to me, as a 57-year Florida resident, is illegal immigration and the creation of sanctuary cities:

Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum says it’s wrong to make cities choose between “security and compassion” when it comes to immigration.

Security is always the No. 1 concern for me. Patti Secrist Winter Park

Service length no matter

The Orlando Sentinel, in its Sunday political endorsements, "Election 2018: Our picks," has clearly contradicted itself. In the explanation for favoring Andrew Gillum, the key argument is it's time for a change in governorship after 20 years of Republican control. Of course, change just for the sake of change is unsound, even risky, thinking.

And yet on the same Sentinel page comes the endorsement for Bill Nelson. He's been in Congress for 30 years. Why not a change after 30 years? The Sentinel can't have it both ways. How do the editors explain the dichotomy?

Let's not pick our political choices based upon length of service. Our vote should go to the best candidate for the position, without regard to how long he or she has served, or what political party, but which one will better serve us? Robert Coleman Longwood

Not Gillum or Nelson

Why I was not surprised Sunday when I read the liberal Orlando Sentinel’s endorsement: The Sentinel is supporting the two most unqualified people running for governor — Andrew Gillum — and Senate — Bill Nelson. Let me start with the Senate.

Nelson has been in Congress for more than 30 years and has done little, and it’s just time for him to step down.

Gillum is the mayor of Tallahassee, and in two years, the crime rate has gone up, the city is in financial trouble, and there is an FBI investigation.

Now the bad news: If Gillum gets in, he wants to raise corporate taxes from 5.5 percent to 7.5 percent. This would stop new businesses coming into Florida, and the ones here would close. He wants to do away with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, attack our Second Amendment and Medicare for everyone. How can anyone support this?

Also I cannot understand our local mayors and sheriff supporting these two people. Orlando and Orange County will not ever be the same. In my 50-plus years of voting, let me predict if Andrew Gillum gets to be governor, before the end of his four years, this state will be just like California, New York and the other Northern states. Florida will never be the same. God help us. Phil Fiedler Ocoee

Cottrell deserved a nod

As a 14-year resident of Congressional District 11, I agree with the Sentinel’s assessment of Daniel Webster as having “skated” while in office as my congressman. Nice man, but a big disappointment.

However, I strongly object to the Sentinel’s statement that congressional candidate for District 11, Dana Cottrell, is not in touch with her would-be constituents. I, along with many others, have met her personally and listened as she passionately explained her positions on issues pertinent to the people of my district, and listened to our needs and concerns. I concur with her positions and feel she has the positive energy, enthusiasm and ideas necessary for the office.

Cottrell has run a clean, issue-driven campaign, and would work hard in Congress to reach across the aisle to accomplish her goals for the people of District 11. It is time for a much-needed change here. Susan Kutsop Leesburg

‘Most partisan of all’

The Orlando Sentinel has sunk to a new low with the endorsement of a socialistleaning candidate for governor of Florida. If Andrew Gillum does get elected, our state will become another high-tax state as he proposes to raise taxes on business and residents. High business taxes will drive corporations to leave Florida and in turn will cause many jobs to leave as well. Unemployment will rise in our state for sure.

In addition, he promotes having “Medicare for everyone,” but has no way of funding it. That will result in higher taxes for all of us. We do not want to be another New York or California, but with Gillum in Tallahassee, that may be what we become, and that, to me, would be a nightmare.

Hopefully, as the electorate in Florida votes, it will do what it did in 2016 and not pay attention to the Sentinel’s endorsement and vote the opposite. The Sentinel’s endorsements slam Daniel Webster as being “one of the most partisan,” but no one can be more partisan than the Orlando Sentinel. David Moffett Clermont

Truth about socialism

The Orlando Sentinel finally did it. On Sunday, with the election endorsements, the paper has formally declared it is an arm of the Democratic Socialist Party. The token endorsement of “a” Republican was not enough to cover up the editors’ desire to continue to promote the transformation of the greatest country the world has ever had.

Apparently, if you haven’t lived through the early and mid-20th century, or have not been privileged to learn what this country accomplished for the world during that time period, you might just think that socialism and communism are fantastic ways of life.

That is, until you discover that the loss of millions of ordinary lives and freedoms, including the press, are the cost. Earl Waters Sanford

Agree on 4, but not 3

I certainly agree with the Orlando Sentinel’s recommendation to vote yes on Amendment 4, restoration of felons’ voting rights.

Polls show 71 percent of voters are in favor of this amendment. Citizens worked for years getting a petition signed, and it cost almost $11 million to place the amendment on the ballot.

It still needs 60 percent of voters’ approval before it will be added to our Florida Constitution.

Knowing these facts, why would the Sentinel want citizens to vote yes on Amendment 3? It would require voters to go through this arduous procedure, if they want gambling in their city.

Amendment 3 was not a true citizens initiative. Volunteers did not gather these petitions. It was paid for by the Walt Disney Corp., Seminole Casinos of Florida and a group called No Casinos.

This actually becomes a no-compete clause, placed in Florida’s constitution by Walt Disney Co., which doesn’t want casinos interfering with its amusement business and the Seminole Tribe, which would have a monopoly on casino gambling in Florida. It doesn’t stop gambling.

Amendment 3 also takes away home rule, as local elected officials and residents of the cities would not be able to make decisions on whether they want gambling or not.

My recommendation is vote no on Amendment 3. Kathy Weaver Clermont

Liberal agenda

I'm having a hard time trying to figure out why the Sentinel wasted two pages of paper and ink making endorsements on individual races when it could have just had one line in bold print saying, “Vote for all the liberal Democrats.”

It's obvious that Sentinel editors have little concern about our state, and, for that matter. our country. It's all about the liberal agenda. Larry Jabusch Clermont